AI DamageSaturn VUE Hybrid: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn VUE Hybrid across 3 model years: 44 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 61% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 32% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 7% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 27 complaints (61% of all).
- Air bags: 14 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (14% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The airbag light had been going on and off for quite some time but I had no idea that meant neither of them was operational. Thank goodness no one was injured but what a horrible turn out this could have had. Definitely a safety hazard!
The contact stated that the driver side seat belt did not properly restrain him. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had an inspector come out to inspect the vehicle. The inspector stated that the front driver side seat belt assembly would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autonation chevrolet north richland hills (7769 boulevard 26, north richland hills, tx) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced.
While driving approximately 25-30 mph, the front driver's side tire experienced a blowout. The contact stated that the side curtain air bag deployed without warning. There were no injuries.
Hybrid batteries are full of corrosion and most likely leaking. Saw some stuff about a possible recall on this.
"takata recall" - airbag warning light indicator on instrument panel lights up randomly. This has been occurring for the past year. It will stay lit for a day, but the next day it will be out. Some days it will stay lit for 20 minutes or so then turn off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.